New PC - Please Advice

I would seriously consider going with the newer socket, s1155. The cpu's are faster and overclock better and use less power.

You should be looking at i7-2600K and P67 motherboard with a dual channel ram kit, something 1.5v, either 1333 or 1600mhz. (Gskill Ripjaws are quite popular)

You don't need 16x/16x for today's video cards, 8x/8x is just fine.

This setup should actually cost you about the same or less than the system your looking at. (with 8gb ram vs. 6gb)

I wouldn't recommend a WD Blue either, WD Black or Samsung Spinpoint is better choice.

There are better power supply choices for sure too. Raidmax is horrible stick with Corsair or Antec.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...

If you plan to run crossfire and overclock your cpu, I would step up to a 750w unit.

Thank you very much for your input. I will look into those. Very well appreciated.

You can read up on the new platform here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-overcl...

The diff between i5-2500K and i7-2600K is basically the 2600K has hyperthreading (which would really help with your video encoding).

That build looks ok but personally i think you would be better off with the 1155 socket, those CPU's are highly overclockable and you will save money on the motherboard and probably end up with 8GB of RAM. I came up with a better build which went about $100 over budget, if someone could find $100 to save in the following build it should be great.

Intel Core i5-2600k - $319.99
ASUS P8P67 PRO - $184.99
Corsair XMS3 2x4GB 1600Mhz - $95.49 (Before $15 Rebate)
Galaxy GTX 560Ti (Fermi) - $225.99 (Before $30 Rebate)
Antec 300 - $74.99
Antec Earthwatts 750W - $99.99
Seagate Barracuda 500GB 6GB/s - $39.99
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - $109.99

Total: $1151 Before Rebates/Shipping

That would be a much better build i think. (if you can up your budget) If you can't i would give up with SLI/crossfire in future and go down to a cheaper P67 Motherboard and a 600W PSU. I wouldn't worry about futureproofing because it would be just as easy to sell your old card and buy a better single card when the time comes. I think the price would then drop to around $1000. Good luck.

Wow that was quick on the replies  . By the way i got those prices from newegg.ca

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-2...

Check how much faster in Video Encoding alone the 2600K is over the 950.

So many replies, so little time! Thank you everyone. You're probably right about not needing SLI or XF for futureproofing. I'm not really that hardcore in graphics. Prefer high, but very smooth FPS medium is just fine and dandy for me.

EDIT: @GeekApproved: Thank you for those articles. Very awesome.

If youre happy without SLI i'd definitely go with something like the build i posted but change the mobo for something along the lines of ASUS P8P67-M and around 550-600W PSU. I think just about every part of that build would improve on the one you suggested. Hope that helps  

Can't save to wish list because of combo items.

Can I get away with this PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...

Previous:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...

I ditched SLI/XF and went with the combo i7-2600K and MSI:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Item...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682... Seagate 7200 500GB
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682... Corsair 4GB 1333
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Item... same GPU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681... same casae HAF 922

$978.41 before taxes, shipping, rebates.
$1144 with everything (-$40 MIR total)

Anyways, main question. The PSU, can I get away with that? Lots of reviews and seem...OK(?)

If you looked at reviews and they look ok then you'll be ok i think but just so you know, there is an OCZ StealthXstream II on newegg.ca at $40 after the rebate (600W)

Nice, missed that. Thank you. I used PSU Calculator: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
2 5400 HDDs, 1 7200 HDD, 4USB devices, fans, etc. etc. , says the recommended is 481W. Would I be just fine with 600W? I don't know how good that calculator is.

EDIT: Or maybe I can even get away with 550W?
EDIT2: For 550W: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681...

If you don't plan on crossfire/sli 550 should be more than plenty as long as it's a good PSU. A lot of junk PSU will say 600 but might only give you 520 max. That antec is a solid PSU and the OCZ isn't too bad either. I don't know anything about that HEC PSU but I wouldn't put it anything I built unless I was using 2-3 year old used parts lol. I would go with that Antec u linked and not think twice about it. Modular PSU's are nice because they decrease clutter.

Thank you very much! I will definitely get it. Thank you for all the help!

Those PSU calculators are relatively accurate but if you want to factor in max load and capacitor aging you should round the number up a fair bit, if it says 480w, personally i'd go for 600W

EDIT: Screw it get that Antec one, 550W is enough power and modular PSU's are sexy  . Good Luck

Best answer selected by yamiLuceid.